Simple Words

Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.

“It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

“Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.” Matthew 5:27-37 

When we were children we doubled dared each other and swore loyalty to one another for life, sometimes even pricking a finger and mixing blood. I do not remember what we swore to, and even who I might have committed to. We are fickle human beings, who get swept away and then back pedal, all too often. I am reminded how easy it is to promise and how quickly we fail.

Jesus has some very harsh words in response to testing by the religious elite. They intended to trip him up in an argument. He must have known how divisive and manipulative these folks were. They were all guilty of treating others like chattel. They were constantly using laws to get away with mistreating others. We are all given to manipulation and divisiveness, and are cautioned today to beware how dangerous that can be. God invites us to a life of simple honesty.

Today, I ask God to help me live and simple and honest life. May we be called daily to serve others by being faithful, truthful and humble in all we do.

Be Reconciled

Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.” Matthew 5:21-26 

Be Reconciled

The pain we carry daily
a huge load of anger, guilt
the burdens of disconnection
the lived reality of isolation.

Being human we are broken
being alive we can change
turning around, forgiving
asking forgiveness, a daily walk.

Our brokenness is invitation
our common humanity a gift
the flaws that we criticize
become our greatest salvation.

They do not want to hurt
we do not want to carry shame
let us first turn from the altar
seeking the arms of our neighbor.

Mountaintop

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:1-12 

It is very easy to get discouraged when pain and loss surround us. We might have heard the words from the mountaintop, and we did surely believe them. Yet, when we are in the deep valleys of our lives, it can be hard to remember, to recall the promises made. In dark times, we can forget that we are beloved of God and blessed despite the circumstances.

Jesus is teaching a great crowd who have climbed up great heights to hear him. They are not celebrities, the wealthy or the powerful. They are the hardworking and often rejected folks who needed a word of hope. From the lips of the Son of God, they hear that they are more than just good, but loved and blessed. They are the desire of God's heart! And that word is ours today, despite how high the climb or how low we might be. God calls us to remember these words and the life of all the prophets, knowing we are blessed, even as we are abused in neglected in our time.

I ask God to give me the strength to embrace the promises from the mountain top and live as the blessed of God. May we live as those who serve others because we are loved and blessed by God.

True Vine

‘I am the true

 vine, and my

 Father is the

 vine-grower. Whoever does 

not abide in 

me is thrown

 away like a

 branch and

 withers; such branches are gathered, 

thrown into

 the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide

 in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and 

become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have

 loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments,

 you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things

 to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

 ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have 

loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s

 life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I 

command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because 

the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I 

have called you friends, because I have made known to you 

everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not

 choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and 

bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you

 whatever you ask him in my name. John 15:1, 6-16

True Vine

Staying joined, connected

a loved one among so many

together we face the storms

bound as one to produce fruit.

Chosen and fully instructed

the weather and storms attack

the pruning and shaping hurts

we hold each other throughout.

Our lives are so entangled

our love is so connected

we are branches so dependent

on the love of the true vine.

In summer's robust heights

we can think ourselves alone

yet all the pretty leaves

do not provide one gift.

We are branches of the vine

the outgrowth of divine love

we rejoice in our belonging

by bearing the fruits of love.

Measure for Measure

Seventh Sunday After Epiphany

February 24, 2019

Jesus said, "I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless

 those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer 

the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.

 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for

 them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who

 love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even 

sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that

 to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do 

good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be 

children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful,

 just as your Father is merciful.

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.

 Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed 

down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will 

be the measure you get back." Luke 6: 27-38

We live in a time where everything can and will be measured. Folks walk around wearing

devices that count their steps, their calorie intake and monitor their sleeping, and the beats of

 our hearts. Our smartphones can measure distance for us, monitor our children, our houses,

our refrigerator's contents, and give us direction.  We collect and measure because we think it

makes us feel safe, in control and winning at the numbers. And yet, so often, we are feeling 

empty and isolated, brimming over with fear and anxiety about tomorrow.

Jesus continues his teaching from what some call the sermon on the plain, on the level place,

as the writer of Luke puts it. He has been turning the order of the world on it's head. He invites

the people gathered to know love by sharing it, fullness through feeding others, generosity by

being generous, forgiveness through forgiving and healing by healing relationships. For that is 

how God is, and how God is truly known. No wealth, security or power will ever draw us close

to God, or give us the peace we crave. We are invited to act as God's children and we will be

know the bounty of God's generous and unending love.

Today, I ask God to help me, one day at a time, to love, give, forgive and be merciful in all 

things and with all people. May we be all live as those who are loved beyond measure, giving

all that we have so others might know and see God's love in our offerings.

Collect

O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing: Send your Holy 

Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all 

virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your

 only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for

 ever. Amen.

Small Cooper Coins

While Jesus was teaching in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Messiah is the son of David? David himself, by the Holy Spirit, declared,

‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.”‘

“David himself calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?” And the large crowd was listening to him with delight.

As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12:35-44

Small Copper Coins

What I have is never enough
supplies run out so quickly
the end of the month is hunger
shame comes in great abundance.

What I have is never enough
yet God has given me this breath
blessed me with a sweet family
surrounded me with great beauty.

What I have is never enough
yet I am grateful for this day
grateful to walk and worship
happy to be counted as living.

What I have is never enough
yet God is always abundance
love is an overflowing stream
lifting this boat to safe harbor.

Not Far

One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that Jesus answered them well, he asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Then the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘he is one, and besides him there is no other’; and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself’—this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” After that no one dared to ask him any question. Mark 12:28-34 

There s something about being near those we love. The sounds of their laughter and conversation in the kitchen, the simple words and playful ways, seems to make everything brighter. In the deepest of winters, when the warms days seem far off, to be nestled close, snug tight inside with loving family, is the closest to being in the presence of God. 

A serious scribe drew close to Jesus. He had observed how well Jesus answered the religious leaders who wanted to trip him up. He  drew away from the arguments of the day and asked Jesus what was most important. Love of God and neighbor was the answer. And with that answer, Jesus also named the man as being close to God. The man honored love of God and love of neighbor. If we want to be close to God, we must simply love God and love our neighbor. Daily.

Today, I ask God to help me draw near to God by loving God and loving my neighbors. May we all keep our tasks simple as this. We will love God and love our neighbors every day, in every possible moment.

Death and Taxes

Then they sent to Jesus some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said. And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it.” And they brought one. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” Jesus said to them, “Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were utterly amazed at him.

Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that ‘if a man’s brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.’ There were seven brothers; the first married and, when he died, left no children; and the second married her and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise; none of the seven left children. Last of all the woman herself died. In the resurrection whose wife will she be? For the seven had married her.”

Jesus said to them, “Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is God not of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong.” Mark 12:13-27

Death and Taxes

We wring our hands in fear
I fear we do not live enough
clinging to our self made prisons
arguing into the deepest night.

We are here to live so fully
no matter how limited we are
to dance and sing, to embrace
this our inheritance, our gift.

The end is but a passing on
a different life without bounds
without the taxes in this life
no gravity, no clinging dust.

So let us be those who live now
in this wild and imperfect place
who pay our dues in loved shared
who own eternity with this joy.